As an engineer in the auto industry who is very familiar with these systems, I can say that while I do support the spirit of this law, it is absolutely more complex than is being acknowledged, and a risk to user safety.

Automakers have spent the last few years trying to secure the embedded modems and software to protect customers. Creating a back door to these systems is counter to that effort. AND it doesn’t really give independent repair shops an advantage. They can already access all the data and functions of the vehicle modules with factory software that is already available to them (for a fee).

This sounds good in theory to the layman, but is less useful and less practical than is being touted.

I register a new company car every year and it’s usually $800-1200.

I didn’t think it even went as low as $125.